EQUIPMENT & HARDWARE
Equipment I would actually use.
There is an enormous amount of networking and smart-home equipment available. You don’t need most of it.
These are products and systems I’ve used myself, have hands-on experience with, or would be comfortable recommending when they are the right fit for a property.
My recommendations always start with the property and the problem — not the product.
Diagnose First
Buy second · find the bottleneck
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WI-FI & NETWORKING
The network underneath everything
Your Wi-Fi is only one part of your network. The access points, Ethernet, switches and router all work together. The right equipment depends on how the property is built and how everything is connected.
UniFi
Serious Wi-Fi without unnecessary complexity
UniFi is the networking system I have the most personal experience with at home. I’ve used UniFi access points as part of a wired home network and know how capable they can be when they are properly planned and configured.
For larger homes, properties with thick walls, multiple floors, outbuildings or demanding users, a properly designed access-point network can be a much better solution than simply adding more wireless mesh nodes.
Why I like it
- Excellent control over your Wi-Fi network
- Strong visibility of connected devices and network performance
- Designed around proper access-point deployment
- Scales well from a home network into larger properties
- Particularly useful where Ethernet cabling is available
- Gives you much more information than many consumer mesh systems
Where I’d use it
I’d consider UniFi when:
- You have a larger or awkwardly shaped property
- Wi-Fi needs to cover several floors
- You already have Ethernet cabling
- You have a home office, garden room or outbuilding
- You want more visibility and control
- You’re running a holiday let or property with lots of connected devices
Where I’d look elsewhere
UniFi isn’t automatically the right answer. For a small property with straightforward coverage requirements, a simpler system may be cheaper and easier to live with. And if you’re starting with a basic ISP router and one or two devices, you probably don’t need an enterprise-style networking ecosystem.
Check current options
Recommended options
UniFi U7 Pro
Newer Wi-Fi 7 access point for a modern installation.
UniFi U7 Lite
A more budget-conscious Wi-Fi 7 option.
UniFi U6 Pro+
Established Wi-Fi option for a wired access-point network.
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
Netgear
Simple networking that just works
I’ve used Netgear switches extensively, including at home. One of the things I like about Netgear is that there are straightforward options when you simply need to add Ethernet ports, as well as PoE options when you’re powering access points, cameras or other network devices.
Sometimes the right network upgrade isn’t another Wi-Fi device. It’s an Ethernet cable and a small switch.
Why I like it
- Straightforward to deploy
- Good range of unmanaged and PoE switches
- Useful for expanding an existing network
- Good fit for homes and smaller installations
- PoE options simplify powering APs and cameras
Where I’d use it
I’d consider Netgear when:
- You simply need more Ethernet ports
- You need to connect several wired devices
- You’re adding access points or cameras
- You want reliability without configuration fuss
Check current options
Recommended options
Netgear GS308
Simple unmanaged switch when you just need more Ethernet ports.
Netgear GS308EP
PoE switch for access points, cameras and other devices.
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
TP-Link
Flexible networking from simple to more advanced
I’ve also used TP-Link networking equipment, including PoE switching. TP-Link covers a huge range of networking requirements, from inexpensive plug-and-play switches through to managed PoE equipment and the wider Omada ecosystem. That makes it useful when a network needs a little more flexibility.
Why I like it
- Good range of Ethernet switches
- Strong PoE selection across price points
- Options for simple and more advanced networks
- Useful when powering multiple APs or cameras
- Omada provides centralised management when appropriate
Where I’d use it
I’d consider TP-Link when:
- You need PoE for multiple devices
- You’re building a network around Omada equipment
- You need VLANs or more advanced management
- You want more control than a basic switch provides
Check current options
Recommended options
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
HOME SECURITY
Security that fits the network you already have
Eufy
Security that fits the network you already have
I’ve used Eufy cameras at home, so this is another recommendation based on personal experience rather than simply picking a popular product. Security cameras are increasingly part of the home network, which means the networking side matters too.
A camera with a poor Wi-Fi connection can be just as frustrating as any other badly connected device.
Why I like it
- Straightforward for many home installations
- Good range of camera options
- Useful for homes, outbuildings and holiday lets
- Can be integrated into a wider smart-home setup
- Options for Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet or mobile connectivity
Where I’d use it
I’d consider Eufy when:
- You want straightforward home security without monthly fees
- You need cameras around a property or holiday cottage
- You need to monitor an outbuilding or perimeter
- Running Ethernet isn't practical for every camera
- You want security without building a complex CCTV rack
Check current options
Recommended options
Eufy S220 Dual Pack
Two-camera option for straightforward home security.
Eufy C340 Doorbell
Video doorbell option for front-door security.
Eufy C340 Camera
Standalone camera option for additional coverage.
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
SMART HOME
Smart devices still need a reliable network
Smart homes don’t need to be complicated. But every connected device becomes part of your network — from heating controls and smart switches to cameras and voice assistants.
SONOFF
Useful automation without needing a complicated smart home
I’ve used SONOFF devices as part of my own smart home setup. The appeal is simple: you can add smart control to things that don’t necessarily need an expensive proprietary system. SONOFF offers a wide range of switches, plugs and automation options.
Why I like it
- Lots of flexibility across devices
- Useful for retrofitting existing devices
- Good range of switches and smart plugs
- Automation can be surprisingly powerful
- Works with wider smart-home ecosystems
Where I’d use it
I’d consider SONOFF when:
- You want to automate existing electrical devices
- You want smart switching rather than replacing an appliance
- You want simple schedules or automation
- You’re comfortable with a little more setup
- You want to integrate smart devices into a wider home setup
Important networking consideration:
Many smart-home devices rely on 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If smart devices keep dropping offline, buying another smart plug may not be the answer. The network might be.
Check current options
Recommended options
SONOFF MINIR4
Compact smart switch for adding automation to existing devices.
SONOFF Smart Device
Another simple option for expanding a smart-home setup.
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
Hive
Smart heating that benefits from good connectivity
I’ve also used Hive as part of my own home setup. Smart heating is a good example of why networking isn’t just about getting a fast speed test. Your heating system doesn’t need 500 Mbps. It does need a reliable connection.
Why I like it
- Familiar and straightforward ecosystem
- Useful heating automation and zoning
- Remote control through the app
- Good example of technology that should simply work in the background
Where I’d use it
I’d consider Hive when:
- You want app-controlled heating
- You want schedules and holiday automation
- You want to control heating while away from the property
- You want to build gradually rather than automate the whole house at once
The networking connection:
A smart thermostat doesn’t need a fast broadband connection. It needs a stable one. That distinction is important. If your smart home is unreliable, the answer isn’t necessarily buying a faster broadband package.
Check current options
Recommended options
Links may be affiliate links. See the disclosure below.
And what about Alexa?
I use Alexa alongside other smart-home devices at home. It’s another good example of something that can look like a device problem but actually be a network problem. Voice assistants, smart plugs, heating controls, cameras and other connected devices all add demand to your network.
Individually, most use very little bandwidth. Collectively, they make network reliability and coverage increasingly important.
My approach
I don’t recommend building a smart home around one particular ecosystem. I’d start with:
“What do you want the home to do?”
Then work backwards to the technology.
The Important Bit
More equipment isn’t automatically a better network.
A £20 Ethernet cable can sometimes solve a problem that a £500 mesh system won’t.
You’ll find plenty of websites telling you to buy:
Sometimes those are exactly the right answer. Sometimes they’re completely unnecessary. Before buying anything, I’d want to know:
Where is the problem actually occurring?
And a properly positioned access point can sometimes achieve more than adding several wireless nodes.
HOW I MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS
Buy for the problem — not the specification sheet
The property
What are the walls, floors, distances and problem areas like?
The network
How is everything connected? Wired or wireless? Where are the bottlenecks?
The devices
What actually needs to connect, and how demanding are those devices?
The future
Is the network likely to grow or change over time?
The budget
What’s the simplest solution that properly solves the problem?
Not sure what you might need?
Diagnose first. Buy second.
Before spending money on equipment, it helps to know where the problem actually is. A Remote Wi-Fi Assessment reviews your current setup, property and usage, and gives you a clear, prioritised plan — whether that means new equipment, better placement, or nothing at all.
Affiliate disclosure
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through one of these links, Lakes WiFi may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This never affects which products are recommended — recommendations are based on the property, the problem and hands-on experience.
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